Deadly fighting continued Wednesday in eastern Ukraine, as the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany prepared to hold a summit on the conflict that has killed more than 5,300 people since last April.
At least two people died in the rebel-held eastern city of Donetsk when a shell hit a bus station, according to rebel officials and emergency personnel. Military officials also said rebel attacks near Debaltseve had killed at least 19 soldiers and wounded 78 others.
Ahead of Wednesday's talks in Belarus, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Ukraine and the European Union would speak "with one voice." He earlier described the four-nation summit as one of the last chances to end the fighting between his country's forces and pro-Russian separatists.
Mr. Poroshenko said Wednesday he would not hesitate to introduce marital law throughout the country if the conflict escalates.
The White House said U.S. President Barack Obama spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged him to support a peace deal for Ukraine.